mlb and foot
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Las Vegas - Start off with some college football and a look at the Clemson/Florida State game. After the opening loss to Georgia, everyone was ready to get off the Dabo Swinney train. Dabo's Tigers lost four games last season for the first time in over a decade, and people were not sure if Cade Klubnik was the answer. Well, he AIN'T Allen Iverson, but Cade has had all the answers so far. We heard the Klubnik was on a 2024 revenge tour, looking to extract his pound of flesh from teams that he lost to in 2023. The first chance came in week three against NC State. The Wolfpack beat Clemson last season 24-17, and the Tigers paid back the favor, smoking the Pack, 59-35. Cade was 16 of 24 for 209 yards, with 3 TDs and ZERO INTs. Normally we try to stay away from double digit favs, but when you look at Florida State's numbers, there is no stay away. FSU ranks #125 in total offense, #92 in total defense. Bank of Benj is wide open for Dabo and the Tigers.
Moving on to the MLB playoffs, we're looking at the Guardians/Tigers in the ALDS opener, and gotta try Cleveland with Tanner Bibee. Tarik Skubal is a BEAST, but he started and won against the Astros on Tuesday, and doubt that theyll bring him back tomorrow on only three days rest. If they do, then WASH the bet. Otherwise, were all in on the Guardians against the pen. Not so much because of Bibee, but rather the back end of the bullpen. If you have not watched during the season, lemme tell you that Cleveland has the BEST bullpen in MLB and without question, THE BEST closer in Emmanuel Clase. And its not even close. Clases stats are kinda like Gretzky, UNTOUCHABLE! He has 47 saves this season, but the SICK number is his 0.61 ERA. Lemme scream, ZERO POINT SIX ONE! The guys that set the table for Clase, Cade Smith, Tim Harrin, Nick Sandlin and Hunter Gaddis, aint too shabby either. These two A.L. Central rivals hooked up 13 times this season with the Guardians winning four of seven in Cleveland and the Tigers winning three of six in Detroit. Cleveland has the best home record in the American League (50-30) and should be able to put a leash on the Tigers in the first game.
Swing over to the National League where well use the Phillies with Zach Wheeler over the Mets. We talked a little bit about home cookin in the American League, but we gotta tell you that these kids from Philly have THE BEST HOME RECORD in all of MLB at 54-27. And obviously, one of the reasons is Wheeler's domination at the Bank. Wheels has won 10 of 11 at home and the calculator tells me that is a 91% win rate. Did a little research and found out that Wheels was also rock solid in the playoffs last year, with a 2-0 record, a 1.84 ERA and 17 Ks in 14 innings of work. These N.L. East rivals have met 13 times this season with the Phils winning three of six in Philadelphia and the Mets winning four of seven in New York. Finally, there has gotta be a little bit of exhaustion on the New York side. The Phillies have been off since Sunday, while the Mets have played five games in the last six days. New York appears ready to start Kodai Senga who has pitched exactly FIVE innings all season. Good luck with that. The Bank of Benj is wide open for Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber.
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